Submitted by Tyler Durden: A jury of six women found neighborhood watch
volunteer George Zimmerman not guilty of all charges on Saturday in the stalking and killing of Trayvon Martin. Here are some quotes from key figures
involved in the case. From the AP:
— Mark O'Mara, one of George Zimmerman's attorneys, said at a news conference after the verdict."We're ecstatic with the results. George Zimmerman was never guilty of anything except protecting himself in self-defense."
— Trayvon Martin's father, Tracy Martin, via Twitter"Even though I am broken hearted my faith is unshattered. I WILL ALWAYS LOVE MY BABY TRAY"
— the Rev. Al Sharpton"The acquittal of George Zimmerman is a slap in the face to the American people but it is only the first round in the pursuit of justice. We intend to ask the Department of Justice to move forward as they did in the Rodney King case and we will closely monitor the civil case against Mr. Zimmerman. I will convene an emergency call with preachers tonight to discuss next steps and I intend to head to Florida in the next few days."
— George Zimmerman's brother, Robert, said in Twitter"Message from Dad: "Our whole family is relieved". Today... I'm proud to be an American. God Bless America! Thank you for your prayers!
— Robert Zimmerman Jr., George's brother, on CNN after the verdict."I don't think this is a time for high-fiving."
In photos from ABC:
And then there is this:
911 Operator
@911BUFF
CHICAGO POLICE RESPONDING TO DALEY PIZZA FOR A LARGE AND VIOLENT CROWD GATHERING AFTER GEORGE ZIMMERMAN VERDICT. #911BUFF
MULTIPLE REPORTS OF COPS STORMING THE STREETS IN MIAMI RIGHT NOW AFTER GEORGE ZIMMERMAN VERDICT. #911BUFF
NBC REPORTS ANTI WAR AND ANTI RACISM
ACTIVIST GROUPS CALLS FOR EMERGENCY RALLY IN SAN FRANCISCO TONIGHT TO
PROTEST GEORGE ZIMMERMAN VERDICT.
Additional Via Zero Hedge: Al Sharpton and the entire MSNBC cast , for whom this was nothing but a case about "guns" and "race", are furious.
From Reuters:
From NBC:George Zimmerman was acquitted of all charges on Saturday for the fatal shooting of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin in this central Florida town in February of last year.
If he had been convicted, the 29-year-old former neighborhood watch volunteer, who claimed he acted in self-defense, could have been sentenced to life in prison for second-degree murder or up to 30 years for manslaughter.
A panel of six women jurors rendered its verdict in the case, which sparked a national debate on issues including race and profiling, after a trial that began in Seminole County court on June 10.
A Florida jury finds George Zimmerman not guilty.
Zimmerman, 29, said he was acting in self-defense when he shot the unarmed Trayvon Martin, 17, in the chest during an altercation in a gated community of Sanford, Fla., on Feb. 26. 2012.
He was not charged for 44 tumultuous days in which the case generated large protests in several cities, turned a hooded sweatshirt like the one Martin wore into a symbol of solidarity, and drew the attention of President Obama, who said, “If I had a son, he’d look like Trayvon.”
As debate over race, guns and Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law swirled, a special prosecutor appointed by the governor announced April 11, 2012 that Zimmerman was being charged with second-degree murder – a move that his supporters said was meant to quell the public outcry.
Zimmerman pleaded not guilty throughout the case to the charges against him.
When the trial unfolded a year later, prosecutors argued the volunteer neighborhood watchman was a wannabe cop who “profiled” Martin as the teen walked back from buying Skittles at a 7-Eleven, and then followed him against the advice of the police dispatcher he called to report a suspicious person.
“That child had every right to be where he was,” Guy said in a closing argument.
“That child had every right to do what he was doing, walking home. That child had every right to be afraid of a strange man following him, first in his car and then on foot. And did that child not have the right to defend himself from that strange man?”
The defense told jurors that Zimmerman was just doing his civic duty when he was ambushed by Martin, punched in the face and slammed repeatedly into concrete before he fired a single shot that pierced the teen’s heart.
“That’s cement. That is a sidewalk. And that is not an unarmed teenager with nothing but Skittles trying to get home,” O’Mara said.
“The suggestion by the state that that’s not a weapon, that that can’t hurt somebody, that that can’t cause great bodily injury … is disgusting.”
Over the course of testimony, 56 witnesses took the stand, including Martin’s and Zimmerman’s parents, who disagreed about who was heard yelling for help in the background of a 911 call made by a resident of the Retreat at Twin Lakes during the fatal confrontation.
Zimmerman did not testify, but his call to the non-emergency police line, his statements to investigators and even a TV interview were part of the evidence jurors could consider. The panel was also given photos of Zimmerman’s injuries and pictures of Martin’s body at the scene and at the morgue.
Well aware of the passions surrounding the case, soon after the jury began deliberations Friday, the Seminole County sheriff appealed for calm whatever the outcome might be.
"We will not tolerate anyone who uses this verdict as an excuse to violate the law,” Sheriff Donald Eslinger said.
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